# Congressional-Executive Commission on China

The Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC) is an independent agency of the U.S. government which monitors human rights and rule of law developments in the People's Republic of China. The commission was given the mandate by the U.S. Congress to monitor and report on human rights issues with a particular focus on compliance with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Its reporting covers developments in freedom of expression, the right to peaceful assembly, religious freedom, freedom of movement, freedom from arbitrary arrest and detention or torture, and the right to a fair trial, among others. The commission publishes an annual report to the President of the United States and Congress, typically in the fall of each year. It also maintains a database of prisoners of conscience, holds regular roundtables and hearings, and issues letters to other institutions concerning human rights matters.

## Creation

The creation of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China (along with the United States-China Economic and Security Review Committee) was a concession to political forces sceptical of China to obtain further support for permanent normal trade relations with China upon its accession to the World Trade Organization.$^{:214}$
The commission was created in October 2000 under Title III of H.R. 4444, which authorizes normal trade relations with China, and establishes a framework for relations between the two countries.

## Work
### Annual report

The CECC publishes an annual report on human rights and rule of law developments in China, usually in the fall of each year, and covers issues such as freedom of expression, worker rights, religious freedom, ethnic minority rights, population planning, the status of women, climate change and the environment, treatment of North Korean refugees, civil society, access to justice, and democratic governance. The reports draw on a variety of sources, including information from human rights groups, media reports, government, and Chinese Communist Party documents.

### Prisoner database

As part of its mandate from Congress, the CECC maintains a partial database of religious and political prisoners believed to be detained in China. As of June 30, 2022, the database contained 10,645 names, of which 2,506 were believed to be detained at that time, while the remainder were released, deceased, or escaped. The database was created with the assistance of the Dui Hua Foundation and Tibet Information Network.

## Staff

The commission consists of a staff of researchers and analysts and is overseen by as many as nine members each from the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, as well as senior executive branch officials. The chairmanship of the commission rotates between the majority parties from the House and Senate. The commission is currently chaired by Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ).
On December 23, 2022, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi announced that Todd Stein, CECC deputy staff director, would be one of two individuals sanctioned by China with effect from the same day. The order specified that this was in retaliation to the United States having sanctioned two Chinese officials earlier that month over human rights issues in Tibet. In an emailed comment to The Associated Press, Stein said the sanction order against him did not matter in light of the "thousands of prisoners of conscience jailed by Chinese authorities."

## Commissioners

| | Majority | Minority |
| Senate members | Jeff Merkley, Oregon, Co-Chair Angus King, Maine Tammy Duckworth, Illinois | Marco Rubio, Florida, Ranking Member Tom Cotton, Arkansas Steve Daines, Montana Dan Sullivan, Alaska |
| House members | Chris Smith, New Jersey, Chair Brian Mast, Florida Michelle Steel, California Ryan Zinke, Montana Zach Nunn, Iowa | Jim McGovern, Massachusetts, Vice Ranking Member Jennifer Wexton, Virginia Susan Wild, Pennsylvania Andrea Salinas, Oregon |
| Executive branch | Uzra Zeya, Department of State Marisa Lago, Department of Commerce Thea Lee, Department of Labor Daniel Kritenbrink, Department of State Erin Barclay, Department of State | Uzra Zeya, Department of State Marisa Lago, Department of Commerce Thea Lee, Department of Labor Daniel Kritenbrink, Department of State Erin Barclay, Department of State |

### Commissioners, 117th Congress

| | Majority | Minority |
| Senate members | Jeff Merkley, Oregon, Chair Dianne Feinstein, California Angus King, Maine Jon Ossoff, Georgia | Marco Rubio, Florida, Vice Ranking Member James Lankford, Oklahoma Tom Cotton, Arkansas Steve Daines, Montana |
| House members | Jim McGovern, Massachusetts, Co-Chair Tom Suozzi, New York Tom Malinowski, New Jersey Rashida Tlaib, Michigan Jennifer Wexton, Virginia | Chris Smith, New Jersey, Ranking Member Brian Mast, Florida Vicky Hartzler, Missouri Michelle Steel, California |
| Executive branch | Uzra Zeya, Department of State Marisa Lago, Department of Commerce Thea Lee, Department of Labor Daniel Kritenbrink, Department of State Lisa Peterson, Department of State | Uzra Zeya, Department of State Marisa Lago, Department of Commerce Thea Lee, Department of Labor Daniel Kritenbrink, Department of State Lisa Peterson, Department of State |

### Commissioners, 116th Congress

| | Majority | Minority |
| Senate members | Marco Rubio, Florida, Co-Chair James Lankford, Oklahoma Tom Cotton, Arkansas Steve Daines, South Dakota Todd Young, Indiana | Dianne Feinstein, California, Ranking Member Jeff Merkley, Oregon Gary Peters, Michigan Angus King, Maine |
| House members | Jim McGovern, Massachusetts, Chair Marcy Kaptur, Ohio Tom Suozzi, New York Tom Malinowski, New Jersey Ben McAdams, Utah | Chris Smith, New Jersey, Vice Ranking Member Brian Mast, Florida Vicky Hartzler, Missouri 1 vacant |
| Executive Branch | 1 vacant, Department of Commerce 1 vacant, Department of Labor 3 vacant, Department of State | 1 vacant, Department of Commerce 1 vacant, Department of Labor 3 vacant, Department of State |

### Commissioners, 115th Congress

| | Majority | Minority |
| Senate members | Marco Rubio, Florida, Chair James Lankford, Oklahoma Tom Cotton, Arkansas Steve Daines, South Dakota Todd Young, Indiana | Dianne Feinstein, California, Vice Ranking Member Jeff Merkley, Oregon Gary Peters, Michigan Angus King, Maine |
| House members | Chris Smith, New Jersey, Co-Chair Robert Pittenger, North Carolina Randy Hultgren, Illinois 2 vacant | Marcy Kaptur, Ohio, Ranking Member Tim Walz, Minnesota Ted Lieu, California 1 vacant |
| Executive Branch | 1 vacant, Department of Commerce 1 vacant, Department of Labor 3 vacant, Department of State | 1 vacant, Department of Commerce 1 vacant, Department of Labor 3 vacant, Department of State |

### Commissioners, 114th Congress

| | Majority | Minority |
| Senate members | Marco Rubio, Florida, Co-Chair James Lankford, Oklahoma Tom Cotton, Arkansas Steve Daines, South Dakota Ben Sasse, Nebraska | Dianne Feinstein, California, Ranking Member Jeff Merkley, Oregon Gary Peters, Michigan 1 vacant |
| House members | Chris Smith, New Jersey, Chair Robert Pittenger, North Carolina Trent Franks, Arizona Randy Hultgren, Illinois Diane Black, Tennessee | Tim Walz, Minnesota, Vice Ranking Member Marcy Kaptur, Ohio Mike Honda, California Ted Lieu, California |
| Executive Branch | Chris Lu, Department of Labor Sarah Sewall, Department of State Stefan Selig, Department of Commerce Daniel Russel, Department of State Tom Malinowski, Department of State | Chris Lu, Department of Labor Sarah Sewall, Department of State Stefan Selig, Department of Commerce Daniel Russel, Department of State Tom Malinowski, Department of State |

### Commissioners, 113th Congress

| | Majority | Minority |
| Senate members | Sherrod Brown, Ohio, Chair Dianne Feinstein, California Carl Levin, Michigan Jeff Merkley, Oregon Kay Hagan, North Carolina | Susan Collins, Maine, Vice Ranking Member Jim Risch, Idaho 2 vacant |
| House members | Chris Smith, New Jersey, Co-Chair Frank Wolf, Virginia Mark Meadows, North Carolina Robert Pittenger, North Carolina 1 vacant | Tim Walz, Minnesota, Ranking Member Marcy Kaptur, Ohio Mike Honda, California 1 vacant |
| Executive Branch | Chris Lu, Department of Labor Sarah Sewall, Department of State Stefan Selig, Department of Commerce Daniel Russel, Department of State Tom Malinowski, Department of State | Chris Lu, Department of Labor Sarah Sewall, Department of State Stefan Selig, Department of Commerce Daniel Russel, Department of State Tom Malinowski, Department of State |

### Commissioners, 112th Congress

| | Majority | Minority |
| Senate members | Sherrod Brown, Ohio, Co-Chair Max Baucus, Montana Dianne Feinstein, California Carl Levin, Michigan Jeff Merkley, Oregon | Susan Collins, Maine, Ranking Member Jim Risch, Idaho 2 vacant |
| House members | Chris Smith, New Jersey, Chair Don Manzullo, Illinois Ed Royce, California Frank Wolf, Virginia 1 vacant | Tim Walz, Minnesota, Vice Ranking Member Marcy Kaptur, Ohio Mike Honda, California 1 vacant |
| Executive Branch | Kurt Campbell, Department of State Seth Harris, Department of Labor Maria Otero, Department of State Francisco Sánchez, Department of Commerce Nisha Biswal, Department of State | Kurt Campbell, Department of State Seth Harris, Department of Labor Maria Otero, Department of State Francisco Sánchez, Department of Commerce Nisha Biswal, Department of State |

### Commissioners, 111th Congress

| | Majority | Minority |
| Senate members | Byron Dorgan, North Dakota, Chair Max Baucus, Montana Dianne Feinstein, California Carl Levin, Michigan Sherrod Brown, Ohio | Sam Brownback, Kansas, Vice Ranking Member John Barrasso, Wyoming Bob Corker, Tennessee George LeMieux, Florida |
| House members | Sandy Levin, Michigan, Co-Chair Marcy Kaptur, Ohio Mike Honda, California Tim Walz, Minnesota David Wu, Oregon | Chris Smith, New Jersey, Ranking Member Joe Pitts, Pennsylvania Don Manzullo, Illinois Ed Royce, California |
| Executive Branch | Kurt Campbell, Department of State Seth Harris, Department of Labor Maria Otero, Department of State Francisco Sánchez, Department of Commerce 1 vacant, Department of State | Kurt Campbell, Department of State Seth Harris, Department of Labor Maria Otero, Department of State Francisco Sánchez, Department of Commerce 1 vacant, Department of State |

### Commissioners, 110th Congress

| | Majority | Minority |
| Senate members | Byron Dorgan, North Dakota, Co-Chair Max Baucus, Montana Dianne Feinstein, California Carl Levin, Michigan Sherrod Brown, Ohio | Chuck Hagel, Nebraska, Ranking Member Sam Brownback, Kansas Gordon Smith, Oregon Mel Martínez, Florida |
| House members | Sandy Levin, Michigan, Chair Marcy Kaptur, Ohio Mike Honda, California Tom Udall, New Mexico Tim Walz, Minnesota | Chris Smith, New Jersey, Vice Ranking Member Joe Pitts, Pennsylvania Don Manzullo, Illinois Ed Royce, California |
| Executive Branch | Paula Dobriansky, Department of State Christopher Hill, Department of State Howard Radzely, Department of Labor David Kramer, Department of State Christopher Padilla, Department of Commerce | Paula Dobriansky, Department of State Christopher Hill, Department of State Howard Radzely, Department of Labor David Kramer, Department of State Christopher Padilla, Department of Commerce |

### Commissioners, 109th Congress

| | Majority | Minority |
| Senate members | Chuck Hagel, Nebraska, Chair Sam Brownback, Kansas Gordon Smith, Oregon Jim DeMint, South Carolina Mel Martínez, Florida | Max Baucus, Montana, Vice Ranking Member Byron Dorgan, North Dakota Dianne Feinstein, California Carl Levin, Michigan |
| House members | Jim Leach, Iowa, Co-Chair David Dreier, California Joe Pitts, Pennsylvania Don Manzullo, Illinois Frank Wolf, Virginia Bob Aderholt, Alabama | Marcy Kaptur, Ohio, Ranking Member Sandy Levin, Michigan Sherrod Brown, Ohio Mike Honda, California |
| Executive Branch | Paula Dobriansky, Department of State Steven Law, Department of Labor Christopher Hill, Department of State Frank Lavin, Department of Commerce Barry Lowenkron, Department of State | Paula Dobriansky, Department of State Steven Law, Department of Labor Christopher Hill, Department of State Frank Lavin, Department of Commerce Barry Lowenkron, Department of State |

### Commissioners, 108th Congress

| | Majority | Minority |
| Senate members | Chuck Hagel, Nebraska, Co-Chair Sam Brownback, Kansas Pat Roberts, Kansas Gordon Smith, Oregon Craig Thomas, Wyoming | Max Baucus, Montana, Ranking Member Byron Dorgan, North Dakota Dianne Feinstein, California Carl Levin, Michigan |
| House members | Jim Leach, Iowa, Chair Doug Bereuter, Nebraska David Dreier, California Joe Pitts, Pennsylvania Frank Wolf, Virginia Bob Aderholt, Alabama | Marcy Kaptur, Ohio, Vice Ranking Member Sandy Levin, Michigan Sherrod Brown, Ohio David Wu, Oregon |
| Executive Branch | Grant Aldonas, Department of Commerce Lorne Craner, Department of State Paula Dobriansky, Department of State James Kelly, Department of State Steven Law, Department of Labor | Grant Aldonas, Department of Commerce Lorne Craner, Department of State Paula Dobriansky, Department of State James Kelly, Department of State Steven Law, Department of Labor |

### Commissioners, 107th Congress

| | Majority | Minority |
| Senate members | Max Baucus, Montana, Chair Evan Bayh, Indiana Byron Dorgan, North Dakota Dianne Feinstein, California Carl Levin, Michigan | Chuck Hagel, Nebraska, Vice Ranking Member Sam Brownback, Kansas Tim Hutchinson, Arkansas Bob Smith, New Hampshire |
| House members | Doug Bereuter, Nebraska, Co-Chair David Dreier, California Jim Leach, Iowa Joe Pitts, Pennsylvania Frank Wolf, Virginia | Sandy Levin, Michigan, Ranking Member Jim Davis, Florida Marcy Kaptur, Ohio Nancy Pelosi, California (until June 2002) Sherrod Brown, Ohio (from June 2002) |
| Executive Branch | Grant Aldonas, Department of Commerce Lorne Craner, Department of State Paula Dobriansky, Department of State Cameron Findlay, Department of Labor James Kelly, Department of State | Grant Aldonas, Department of Commerce Lorne Craner, Department of State Paula Dobriansky, Department of State Cameron Findlay, Department of Labor James Kelly, Department of State |

## Historical leadership

| Term start | Term-end | Chair | Co-chair | Ranking Member | Vice Ranking Member |
| 2001 | 2003 | Sen. Max Baucus (D-MT) | Rep. Doug Bereuter (R-NE) | Rep. Sandy Levin (D-MI) | Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-NE) |
| 2003 | 2005 | Rep. Jim Leach (R-IA) | Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-NE) | Sen. Max Baucus (D-MT) | Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-OH) |
| 2005 | 2007 | Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-NE) | Rep. Jim Leach (R-IA) | Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-OH) | Sen. Max Baucus (D-MT) |
| 2007 | 2009 | Rep. Sandy Levin (D-MI) | Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-ND) | Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-NE) | Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) |
| 2009 | 2011 | Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-ND) | Rep. Sandy Levin (D-MI) | Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) | Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-NE) |
| 2011 | 2013 | Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) | Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) | Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) | Rep. Tim Walz (D-MN) |
| 2013 | 2015 | Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) | Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) | Rep. Tim Walz (D-MN) | Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) |
| 2015 | 2017 | Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) | Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) | Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) | Rep. Tim Walz (D-MN) |
| 2017 | 2019 | Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) | Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) | Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-OH) | Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) |
| 2019 | 2021 | Rep. Jim McGovern (D-MA) | Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) | Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) | Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) |
| 2021 | 2023 | Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR) | Rep. Jim McGovern (D-MA) | Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) | Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) |